Version control is like having a time machine for your code. Imagine you’re writing a book. Every time you make a change, you save a new version. With version control, you can go back to any previous version, see what changed, and even combine parts from different versions.
The definition of version control systems
Version control system (VCS) is a software tool that records changes to a file or set of files over time. This enables users to retrieve specific versions later. VCS is primarily used for software development, but it can be applied to any type of file.
Key benefits of VCS:
Keeps track of changes. Records every modification to your code, so you know who made what changes and when.
Collaboration. Multiple people can work on the same project without overwriting each other’s work.
Time travel. You can revert to previous versions if something goes wrong.
Experimentation. You can try new things without fear of breaking the main codebase.
How does a version control system work?
A VCS operates by maintaining a repository, which is a central location where all versions of the code are stored. Among key concepts of VCS are:
Repository (a central storage location for all project files and their history),
Commit (a snapshot of the project at a specific point in time),
Branch (a separate line of development that allows multiple developers to work on different features without affecting the main codebase), and
Merge (combining changes from different branches into a single branch).
Here’s how the basic workflow of a version control system looks:
Checkout. A developer creates a local copy of the project from the repository.
Modifications. The developer makes changes to the code.
Commit. The developer saves the changes as a new version (commit) in the local repository.
Push. The developer sends the changes to the central repository.
Pull. Other developers can fetch the latest changes from the central repository.
There are two types of version control: centralized and distributed. Here’s the difference:
What are popular version control systems?
There are several popular version control systems used in software development. Among centralized version control systems, Subversion (SVN) is the most widely adopted one. It’s a centralized system where a single repository stores all project files.
Among distributed version control systems, there’s more to choose from.
Git is a decentralized system where each developer has a complete copy of the repository, making it highly efficient for large projects and distributed teams.
Mercurial is another decentralized system known for its speed and simplicity.
Bazaar is a flexible system that supports both centralized and distributed workflows.
Git is currently the most widely used version control system due to its flexibility, speed, and strong community support.
